Council reverses Pasadena Church redevelopment ruling

After over four hours of ardent debate, city council members approved a nearly 100-year-old church’s plans to transform underutilized property in west St. Petersburg into a new housing development.

Their 5-2 supermajority vote at 9:30 p.m. Thursday negated the Community Planning & Preservation Commission’s (CPCC) unanimous disapproval of the controversial project in May. Development firm Onyx + East will now purchase the 5.77-acre property at 6491 1^st Avenue South from the Pasadena Community Church.

Stakeholders needed the council to approve zoning changes before completing a deal that would bring 60 housing units to the suburban neighborhood’s edge. Councilmember Gina Driscoll said the proposal embodied “the type of moderate density increase we’ve talked about, and that I have supported all the way.”

“I have a great deal of confidence in this team,” Driscoll said. “I think you have put forward something that is reasonable and that will help more people be a part of this wonderful neighborhood.”

A graphic compares the single-family homes to the subject property’s west with new units at Pasadena Groves.

Pasadena Community Church members approved selling the underutilized land on its sprawling campus to a developer in early 2023. A group of parents immediately united to stop the sale and save an 82-year-old preschool building from the wrecking ball.

An online petition garnered 387 signatures in two weeks. However, Rev. Corey Jones previously said nothing short of a $10 million donation would stop him from doing what he believes is best for the church.

The institution, part of the United Methodist system, opened at 227 70^th Street in 1925. Proceeds from the land sale will go toward a complete renovation of the historic Hamilton Building. The main sanctuary will remain.

In addition, the money would mitigate declining revenues, and fund maintenance and community programming for decades.

However, several church members opposed the rezoning during the quasi-judicial hearing’s extensive public forum due to neighborhood character and traffic concerns.

The project, dubbed Pasadena Groves, will bring 40 townhomes to the preschool site that encompasses 13 parcels. Indianapolis-based Onyx + East will also build 20 single-family homes on what is currently a soccer field. City officials platted that land for 10 parcels.

The CPPC disapproved the proposal in a rare 0-7 vote. Multiple commissioners stressed the importance of maintaining a “sense of place” in Old Pasadena at their hearing in May.

The development team subsequently appealed the decision. Councilmember Copley Gerdes, who represents the area, pushed back against the assertion that the CPCC failed to analyze the proposal adequately.

“Even the single-family homes, in my opinion, don’t fit the neighborhood character,” Gerdes added. “That’s not even touching the townhomes.”

He noted his advocacy for development in the city’s least-dense district. Gerdes, who lives eight blocks from the site, said he has pushed those limits in a “very intentional way.”

“When I look at the … relevant criteria and land use, it’s just – they don’t jive,” Gerdes said. “I really don’t believe this is a spot where we need to be doing this.”

Pasadena Community Church. Photo provided.

The development team requested a land use change from Institutional to Residential Medium. A church member noted the city receives no taxes under the former designation.

The project also requires a zoning change from Neighborhood Traditional to Neighborhood Suburban Multifamily. The property’s proximity to Central and Pasadena Avenue – and two SunRunner stations – influenced the city administration’s approval recommendation.

Rachel Markowitz, director of land development for Onyx + East and a St. Pete resident, explained that the site only borders residences to its west, across 71^st Street. That parcel will also feature single-family homes.

Offices and triplex sit to the north, between 1^st Avenue South and Central Avenue. The church’s sanctuary and accessory buildings border the subject property to the south and east.

“Approval of this application does not change the fact that Old Pasadena is a residential neighborhood with commercial properties and the church at its outer edges,” Markowitz said. “The housing crisis in St. Pete will not be solved with only affordable housing. I hope you agree that smaller lots and townhomes do have a place on the edge of this beautiful neighborhood.”

An example of the church’s underutilized property with an overhead map.

The council mostly agreed with her assertions. Derek Kilborn, the city’s urban planning and historic preservation manager, said the developers could build 152 units with the zoning change and a missing middle housing bonus.

Councilmember Ed Montanari also called the proposed 60 units “reasonable.” He represents Shore Acres and Snell Isle, and noted both neighborhoods include a mix of housing options.

Councilmember Richie Floyd, like nearly all his colleagues, expressed compatibility concerns. However, Floyd called the zoning change “the gentlest way for us to increase density in some areas.”

While a supermajority typically requires six “yes” votes, Councilmember John Muhammad was absent. Driscoll, Montanari, Floyd, Councilmember Brandi Gabbard and Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders approved the project. Gerdes and Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz dissented.